P2P Data synchronization for product lifecycle management

Intelligent products are an undeniable asset for efficient product lifecycle management (PLM), providing ways to capture events related to physical objects at various locations and times. Today and more than ever before, PLM tools and systems must be built upon standards for enhancing interoperability among all product stakeholders and developing tools independent of specific vendors, applications, and operating systems. Based on this observation, this paper develops strategies to improve “information sustainability” in PLM environments using standardized communication interfaces defined by a recent standard proposal named quantum lifecycle management (QLM) messaging standards. More concretely, data synchronization models based upon QLM standards are developed to enable the synchronization of product-related information among various systems, networks, and organizations involved throughout the product lifecycle. Our proposals are implemented and assessed based on two distinct platforms defined in the healthcare and home automation sectors.     

A spatiotemporal information management framework for product design and assembly process planning reconciliation

This paper introduces an innovative framework for product design and assembly process planning reconciliation. Nowadays, both product lifecycle phases are quasi concurrently performed in industry and this configuration has led to competitive gains in efficiency and flexibility by improving designers’ awareness and product quality. Despite these efforts, some limitations/barriers are still encountered regarding the lack of dynamical representation, information consistency and information flow continuity. It is due to the inherent nature of the information created and managed in both phases and the lack of interoperability between the related information systems. Product design and assembly process planning phases actually generate heterogeneous information, since the first one describes all information related to “what to be delivered” and the latter rationalises all information with regards to “how to be assembled”. In other words, the integration of assembly planning issue in product design requires reconciliation means with appropriate relationships of the architectural product definition in space with its assembly sequence in terms of time. Therefore, the main objective is to provide a spatiotemporal information management framework based on a strong semantic and logical foundation in product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, increasing therefore actors’ awareness, flexibility and efficiency with a better abstraction of the physical reality and appropriate information management procedures. A case study is presented to illustrate the relevance of the proposed framework and its hub-based implementation within PLM systems.     

Product relationships management enabler for concurrent engineering and product lifecycle management

The current competitive industrial context requires more flexible, intelligent and compact product lifecycles, especially in the product development process where several lifecycle issues have to be considered, so as to deliver lifecycle oriented products. This paper describes the application of a novel product relationships management approach, in the context of product lifecycle management (PLM), enabling concurrent product design and assembly sequence planning. Previous work has provided a foundation through a theoretical framework, enhanced by the paradigm of product relational design and management. This statement therefore highlights the concurrent and proactive aspect of assembly oriented design vision. Central to this approach is the establishment and implementation of a complex and multiple viewpoints of product development addressing various stakeholders design and assembly planning points of view. By establishing such comprehensive relationships and identifying related relationships among several lifecycle phases, it is then possible to undertake the product design and assembly phases concurrently. Specifically, the proposed work and its application enable the management of product relationship information at the interface of product-process data management techniques. Based on the theory, models and techniques such as described in previous work, the implementation of a new hub application called PEGASUS is then described. Also based on web service technology, PEGASUS can be considered as a mediator application and/or an enabler for PLM that externalises product relationships and enables the control of information flow with internal regulation procedures. The feasibility of the approach is justified and the associated benefits are reported with a mechanical assembly as a case study.     

A reference framework following a proactive approach for Product Lifecycle Management

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) has been identified as a key concept within manufacturing industries for improving product quality, time-to-market and costs. Previous works on this field are focused on processes, functions and information models, and those aimed at putting more intelligence on products are related to specific parts of the product lifecycle (e.g. supply chain management, shop floor control). Therefore, there is a lack of a holistic approach to PLM, putting more intelligence on products through the complete lifecycle. In this paper, a PLM framework supported by a proactive approach based on intelligent agents is proposed. The developed model aims at being a first step toward a reference framework for PLM, and complements past works on both product information and business process models (BPM), by putting proactivity on product's behavior. An example of an instantiation of the reference framework is presented as a case study.     

Improving construction industry process interoperability with Industry Foundation Processes (IFP)

With massive amounts of information generated during the life cycle of large-scale construction projects, interoperability among project stakeholders’ information systems is a requirement for effective and timely communication, collaboration, and information exchange, and ultimately for project success. While data interoperability has been substantially improved by initiatives such as IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) standardizing construction industry data, emphasis on process interoperability which facilitates timely and effective exchange of information via interaction of workflow processes is in its early stage. By conforming to a reference model such as IFP (Industry Foundation Processes), project stakeholders can communicate and collaborate using workflow processes while abstracting the information exchange to essential items to preserve their privacy. This paper explores interoperability in the AEC/FM domain, reviews the main components of the IFP system, presents two IFP interoperability models, and discusses their relationships with the IFP system. The models are demonstrated with specific examples and implemented with a process customization framework based on workflow inheritance rules. Interoperability models that conform to the IFP system not only allow seamless information exchange but can also yield active interaction and communication among stakeholders.     

Secure sharing of big digital twin data for smart manufacturing based on blockchain

With the rapid development of digital twin technology, a large amount of digital twin data named as big digital twin data (BDTD), is generated in the lifecycle of equipment, which is supposed to be used in digital twin enabled applications. However, in the implementation of these applications, data sharing problem which is caused by the lack of data security as well as trust among stakeholders of equipment, limits data using value. It is a novel way to introduce blockchain technology into digital twin to solve the problem. However, current methods cannot fulfill the requirements of exponential growth and timely sharing of BDTD. Therefore, a blockchain-based framework for secure sharing of BDTD is proposed to solve the problems. Cloud storage is integrated into the framework, with which, BDTD is encrypted and stored in Cloud, while the hash of BDTD and transaction records are stored in blockchain. Some rules of generating new block are designed to improve the processing speed of blockchain. An algorithm for optimal sampling rate selection is presented to maximize total social benefits of the participants of BDTD sharing. Simulation results show that the algorithm is better than traditional method for maximizing the total social benefits. Furthermore, a protype system is developed and evaluated based on Fabric test network. Evaluation results show that BDTD can be shared securely multiple times per second through the framework, which demonstrates the feasibility of the framework in supporting timely sharing of BDTD.     

产品全生命周期管理平台的集成产品开发流程实现研究

在研究集成产品开发框架的流程元素和集成产品信息模型的基础上,运用产品全生命周期管理(PLM)相关技术,提出基于PLM平台的集成产品开发流程实现模式,并通过某大型企业的实例应用验证该模式的可行性。     

An assembly oriented design framework for product structure engineering and assembly sequence planning

The paper describes a novel framework for an assembly-oriented design (AOD) approach as a new functional product lifecycle management (PLM) strategy, by considering product design and assembly sequence planning phases concurrently. Integration issues of product life cycle into the product development process have received much attention over the last two decades, especially at the detailed design stage. The main objective of the research is to define assembly sequence into preliminary design stages by introducing and applying assembly process knowledge in order to provide an assembly context knowledge to support life-oriented product development process, particularly for product structuring. The proposed framework highlights a novel algorithm based on a mathematical model integrating boundary conditions related to DFA rules, engineering decisions for assembly sequence and the product structure definition. This framework has been implemented in a new system called PEGASUS considered as an AOD module for a PLM system. A case study of applying the framework to a catalytic-converter and diesel particulate filter sub-system, belonging to an exhaust system from an industrial automotive supplier, is introduced to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed AOD methodology.     

Modeling framework for product lifecycle information

This paper presents a modeling framework for product lifecycle information. Although being widely used in enterprises’ virtual product data management, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems are unable to manage the modeling and simulation aspects of virtual products. To reinforce the sharing and management of the product lifecycle information, especially the simulation data, a product’s four-dimensional (4D) view model (PLIM) is established, which includes geometry view, task view, virtual prototype system view and lifecycle view. To provide efficient and effective simulation information, the prototype system view is then studied in detail. Finally, to validate the feasibility of the modeling framework, a prototype system is developed based on an application example, with the demonstration of 4D product lifecycle information model (PLIM).     

State-of-the-art of long-term preservation in product lifecycle management

Providing access to digital information for the indefinite future is the intention of long-term digital preservation systems. One application domain that certainly needs to implement such long-term digital preservation processes is the design and engineering industry. In this industry, products are designed, manufactured, and operated with the help of sophisticated software tools provided by product lifecycle management (PLM) systems. During all PLM phases, including geographically distributed cross-domain and cross-company collaboration, a huge amount of heterogeneous digital product data and metadata is created. Legal and economic requirements demand that this product data has to be archived and preserved for a long-time period. Unfortunately, the software that is able to interpret the data will become obsolete earlier than the data since the software and hardware lifecycle is relatively short-lived compared to a product lifecycle. Companies in the engineering industry begin to realize that their data is in danger of becoming unusable while the products are in operation for several decades. To address this issue, different academic and industrial initiatives have been initiated that try to solve this problem. This article provides an overview of these projects including their motivations, identified problems, and proposed solutions. The studied projects are also verified against a classification of important aspects regarding scope and functionality of digital preservation in the engineering industry. Finally, future research topics are identified.     

基于区块链的网络安全体系结构与关键技术研究进展

随着互联网技术的不断演进与用户数量的"爆炸式"增长,网络作为一项基础设施渗透于人们生存、生活的各个方面,其安全问题也逐渐成为人们日益关注的重点.然而,随着网络规模的扩大以及攻击者恶意行为的多样化、复杂化,传统网络安全体系架构及其关键技术已经暴露出单点信任、部署困难等诸多问题,而具备去中心化、不可篡改等特性的区块链技术为...     

基于区块链的电子文件流转设计与实现

针对互联网生态下电子文件流转中文件没有统一登记、对文件去向没有跟踪、流转过程不规范等问题,提出了基于区块链的电子文件流转方案。首先,采用区块链中联盟链的多中心化体系,提出基于区块链的电子文件流转系统设计目标与设计架构。然后,借助云存储平台进行电子文件存放来实现文件的上传功能,通过将文件的所有权转换数据加盖时间戳,使流转过程连续、关联、可追溯且诚实可信,实现了基于区块链的电子文件流转系统。通过数据库调用完成数据存取,实现了基于区块链的电子文件流转系统的数据同步和追溯。最后,提出了电子文件所有权转换、查询的智能合约,这种合约通过读取文件标识来实现对文件内容的验证和保护。安全性分析和性能测试表明,该方案与现有的文件流转系统相比更具安全性,增强了流转信息的可信度,同时智能合约的执行时间较短,使得系统具有更好的可靠性和可溯源性。     

基于区块链的电子文件流转设计与实现

针对互联网生态下电子文件流转中文件没有统一登记、对文件去向没有跟踪、流转过程不规范等问题，提出了基于区块链的电子文件流转方案。首先，采用区块链中联盟链的多中心化体系，提出基于区块链的电子文件流转系统设计目标与设计架构。然后，借助云存储平台进行电子文件存放来实现文件的上传功能，通过将文件的所有权转换数据加盖时间戳，使流转过程连续、关联、可追溯且诚实可信，实现了基于区块链的电子文件流转系统。通过数据库调用完成数据存取，实现了基于区块链的电子文件流转系统的数据同步和追溯。最后，提出了电子文件所有权转换、查询的智能合约，这种合约通过读取文件标识来实现对文件内容的验证和保护。安全性分析和性能测试表明，该方案与现有的文件流转系统相比更具安全性，增强了流转信息的可信度，同时智能合约的执行时间较短，使得系统具有更好的可靠性和可溯源性。     

Computer-aided embodiment design through the hybridization of mono objective optimizations for efficient innovation process

Current product lifecycle management (PLM) systems properly support the development of a product from the embodiment design stage to detail design and manufacturing phases; on the contrary, marginal support is provided to the earliest stages of conceptual design. Besides, the front end of product development is supported by an emerging technology, namely computer-aided innovation systems (CAI), which nevertheless are still poorly integrated with the following phases of the design process. The paper presents an original computer-based approach aimed at supporting embodiment design phases, which results very efficient for improving the interoperability of CAI and PLM systems and thus at extending the domain of application of these tools. The potential of the approach proposed by the authors is clarified through three exemplary case studies.     

Research issues on closed-loop PLM

This study introduces the research issues on closed-loop product lifecycle management (PLM) where product information flow is closed due to emerging technologies. PLM is a new strategic approach to manage the product lifecycle information efficiently over the whole product lifecycle. Recently, with emerging technologies, PLM enables us to gather and analyze the product lifecycle information and make decisions on several issues without spatial and temporal constraints. However, the PLM system just provides us with new opportunities to gain the competitiveness. To remove ineffectiveness within the product lifecycle and maximize the advantage of closed-loop PLM, it is necessary to look into new challenging issues. For this purpose, first, we introduce the concept of closed-loop PLM. Then, we explore several research problems that become highlighted in the closed-loop PLM. For each product lifecycle phase, we introduce research issues with the review of their previous research and address the requirements for resolving them. Finally, we close with discussion about our work and introduction of further research issues.     

Scalable framework for blockchain-based shared manufacturing

Shared Manufacturing is a new mode of social manufacturing based on the principles of a sharing economy. This paper presents a scalable framework for blockchain-based Shared Manufacturing that preserves the transparency and immutability characteristics of transaction records, which is critical to building trust between entities in blockchain-based systems. We define a blockchain-based protocol for the service execution according to the design principles of the sharing economy. We present a scalable integration of blockchain technology into the concept of Shared Manufacturing by employing cross-chain solutions. We discuss existing cross chain technologies regarding the requirements of Shared Manufacturing and propose hybrid approach. We compare implementations of the proposed framework on two different blockchain networks: Ethereum public network and Xdai sidechain network. We conduct user-oriented test to explore the performance (cost and time) of the implementations in realistic situations in order to justify the use of the sidechain technology. Results indicate that the implementation on the sidechains provides greater scalability than the implementation on the public blockchain network.     

Closed-loop PLM for intelligent products in the era of the Internet of things

With the advent of the information and related emerging technologies, such as RFID, small size sensors and sensor networks or, more generally, product embedded information devices (PEID), a new generation of products called smart or intelligent products is available in the market.Although various definitions of intelligent products have been proposed, we introduce a new definition of the notion of Intelligent Product inspired by what happens in nature with us as human beings and the way we develop intelligence and knowledge. We see an intelligent product as a product system which contains sensing, memory, data processing, reasoning and communication capabilities at four intelligence levels. This future generations of Intelligent Products will need new Product Data Technologies allowing the seamless interoperability of systems and exchange of not only Static but of Dynamic Product Data as well. Actual standards for PDT cover only lowest intelligence of today’s products. In this context, we try to shape the actual state and a possible future of the Product Data Technologies from a Closed-Loop Product Lifecycle Management (C-L PLM) perspective.Our approach is founded in recent findings of the FP6 IP 507100 project PROMISE and follow-up research work. Standards of the STEP family, covering the product lifecycle to a certain extend (PLCS) as well as MIMOSA and ISO 15926 are discussed together with more recent technologies for the management of ID and sensor data such as EPCglobal, OGC-SWE and relevant PROMISE propositions for standards.Finally, the first efforts towards ontology based semantic standards for product lifecycle management and associated knowledge management and sharing are presented and discussed.     

Bridging the gap between product lifecycle management and sustainability in manufacturing through ontology building

Green manufacturing has been a major concern in recent years. As product lifecycle management strategies embrace sustainability within its spectrum of multi-disciplinary efforts, it has become crucial that manufacturing companies have the ability to exchange product and process related data with emphasis on sustainability not only amongst its internal information systems like CAD, CAPP and ERP, but also throughout their supply chain and other stakeholders. Industry demands solutions for interoperability between heterogeneous systems that can account for the necessary semantics in order to establish seamless, unambiguous information sharing of data from a product's cradle to its grave. One of the most promising approaches to overcome these issues is the use of ontologies that serve as interlingua, for translating between local data structures. The present research proposes an ontology that relates sustainability terms to product and process data entities through semantic ties.     

面向产品全生命周期的标准件库研究与实现

设计数据是制造企业产品生命周期管理中的源头数据,设计数据的标准化、 规范化很大程度决定了整个PLM 系统的应用效果。据此,研究了在设计过程中物料信息的产 生及在PLM 系统中的传递过程以及设计工具软件与PLM 系统的单一数据源理论,提出了面 向产品全生命周期管理的标准件库系统的构建与实现方法;以及实现设计工具软件与PLM 系 统协同应用的方法。基于该理论及方法在SOLIDWORKS 的软件平台上开发实现了面向产品 全生命周期的标准件库系统,所开发系统已在某制造企业的设计部门得到应用,效果明显。